Great story! I'm terrified of lightning, but mesmerized by it at the same time. I enjoy it from a safe distance. I recently experienced flying next to a thunderstorm on my way home from Las Cruces, NM to Boston. We were in the clear area, but could see through the side of the storm off in the distance. I couldn't stop staring at it. Tried to get pics from the plane window, but it was too dark. Sat and watched the bolts go downward. It was pretty cool.